News

Meet Saad Sayed G’21

Get to know one of our incredible students, Saad Sayed G’21! Saad majors in engineering management, and is the chief strategist for the Muslim Students’ Association. Learn more about Saad’s experience in MSA:

“As humans we are in constant need of acknowledgement and comfort. That is what we commonly refer as ‘empathy.’ We try to find that in the communities around us. I believe that the Muslim Students’ Association is striving towards that goal. Those of us in the MSA try to be true to the notion – We are one! The selfless efforts put in by our Muslim Chaplain, Br. Amir Duric is highly commendable. We need leaders like Br. Amir, who show compassion and provide guidance with a touch of wisdom to our community as a whole, be it a Muslim or an individual from any other faith. I believe confidence is what makes you stronger and that is bolstered with the company you keep.

It gives me a purpose to make a difference in the lives around us, to try to at least put a smile on a sad face. It has increased the horizon in my eyes to the responsibilities that a Muslim has towards humanity and the message of peace that needs to be delivered. It has taught me to reflect and made me realize that, in order to make our communities better in every way, I myself need to become a role model first.”

Campus Connect delivers food to those in need

The bounty of the earth, great recipes and dedicated cooks and servers make dining at Syracuse University a high point of the day for many students. Campus Connect, Lutheran Campus Ministry’s student organization, helped share these resources with those in need in the Syracuse community this spring.

Group of Food Service employees standing in a group
Thank you to the amazing staff at Graham Dining Center!

The campus chapter of Food Recovery Network, a national organization that collects unused food and delivers it to institutions that feed the hungry, was seeking to expand this semester. Shallythaw Da, Campus Connect president, wanted to help, and so she reached out to the members of her student group to get them on board. By coincidence, three of them already worked at Graham Dining Center, one of the food pick-up sites. Since then, Campus Connect has picked up and delivered food that would otherwise be thrown away from Graham nearly every night of the week.

In the dining center, volunteers wrap and weigh each pan and record the donations. Then a driver takes the food to institutions such as The Salvation Army, Rescue Mission and Vera House. The staff at Graham Dining Center have been wonderful, helping the student volunteers in countless ways. When thanked, they reply that they are very happy the food is going to people who need it.

“The first time I helped deliver food, I was very hungry looking at the delicious dishes. The second time, there were wonderful desserts that I couldn’t help but look at with longing. By the third time, I had stopped thinking about my own tastebuds, and when something looks good, I’m simply excited for those who will get the chance to eat it,” says Rev. Gail Riina, Lutheran Chaplain. “We will be encouraging everyone we can to volunteer. Just a little bit of time and muscle work and you know you have made a difference!”

Towards the end of the semester, Campus Connect added a Friday lunch recovery shift and the Food Recovery Network hopes to add more lunch recovery days in the fall.

Buddhist Chaplaincy brings students together in sangha

Mindfulness Meditation Training

The Buddhist Chaplaincy hosted a celebratory tea with Japanese treats on May 9 to honor the eight students who completed level one of Mindfulness Meditation Training this semester. Selin Durak, Lei Wang, Rosalie Turner, Nathan Hirschberg, Adria Ivkovic, Amelia Ercolino, Hannah Helfert and Cal Parker all completed the program. This level of the training required participation in meditation and related events, journaling and a final written reflection. This is the first set of students who have completed this new program, and several exceeded the expectations of participation in meditation.

 

Meditation Retreat

The Buddhist Meditation Association hosted a Meditation Retreat during Wellness Day on April 21. Students engaged in several activities to “get out their heads” and clear their minds. The day included silent meditation, as well as a guided meditation and creative movement. Students watched and discussed an interview with Koshin Paley Ellison, and expressed themselves on an ongoing “graffiti board.”  They also experience a mindful eating opportunity during silent lunch. The day ended with a hike, which students braved despite the cold and snowy weather.

 

Buddha’s Birthday

The Buddhist Chaplaincy celebrated Buddha’s Birthday on April 11 in the Noble Room. A beautiful flower bower was set up around the baby Buddha statue. Students experienced the traditional ritual of chanting and bathing the baby Buddha statue in Ambrosial Nectar. Following the ritual, all celebrated with cake and fellowship. Buddha’s Birthday is a joyous celebration commemorating the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, Shakyamuni Buddha.

Blessing of Students

In honor of the students at Syracuse University, and to commemorate the conclusion of the Spring semester and celebrate the graduating Class of 2021, the Dean, chaplains and staff of Hendricks Chapel will host a “Blessing of Students” on Sunday, May 9, at 4 p.m. ET on Zoom Webinar.

The virtual program will include musical performances and spoken reflections from Dean Brian Konkol, our chaplains of diverse faiths, and the Hendricks Chapel Choir!

This event is free and open to all, including Syracuse University students, parents, alumni and community members. Captioning and American Sign Language will be provided. Preregistration is not required.

This program will open Commencement 2021 festivities. Learn more about this year’s ceremony at commencement.syr.edu.

Muslim Students’ Association Inspires Renovation of Prayer Space in Hendricks Chapel

Students often seek a safe space on campus where they can feel at home. At Hendricks Chapel, the chaplains, staff and students work together to create an environment that is welcoming of the broader campus community and will continue to benefit those who use it in the future.

Syracuse University recently invested in that mission with a renovation of the Muslim Prayer Room, located on the lower level of Hendricks Chapel. Approved in August 2020 after engaged discussions with the Muslim student community, the project has since been completed.

Learn more in Syracuse University News.

Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders Highlights Importance of Interfaith Collaboration

Conversations about faith and religion are often avoided. In the midst of polarized times such topics can be especially daunting. However, as shared by Rev. Brian E. Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, a key to understanding others lies in having these serious conversations.

Ethan Smith G'22

Ethan Smith G’22, convener of SAIL

“For years far too many have been told to not discuss religion in public life, yet in recent times we have witnessed the consequences,” says Konkol.  “So we should not avoid such conversations but instead find ways to have them, and have them in ways that are both safe and brave.”

“The Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders is one of the ways that we are trying to spark and sustain spaces that allow for our students to share their beliefs and learn about the beliefs of others,” he says.

Learn more in Syracuse University News.